Tonight:
9°c
Police watchdog condemns Scotland Yard’s 'macho' approach to public order protests such as the G20 demonstration in London last year
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It’s Day’s night, and no one is going to spoil her story
A Sentimental Journey
Film
This is a shocking, replenishing film, not to be missed
Green Zone
Restaurants
It is great that Bruno Loubet is back — and at prices that are eminently fair
Bistro Bruno Loubet
The action and direction are superb and the acting good, but the plot is so pathetic it defies belief
Wonderful - beautifully acted and gloriously funny, particularly Simon Russell Beale and Fiona Shaw
Probably the most important photography exhibition london has ever seen
London,
Jack Massarik's rating
Reader rating
Fit as a fiddle: American tenorist Eric Alexander
Making a long overdue debut at Ronnie Scott’s — “I guess that’s so, apart from a couple of jam sessions” — is this fine US tenorist, who first impressed London a decade ago in a group led by Clint Eastwood’s bassist son, Kyle. A commanding improviser with a hard-edged yet warm sound, his probing harmonic approach reflects George Coleman more than the usual Rollins and Coltrane.
Tall and upright, he’s also one of the superfit new breed of jazz professionals, a product of jazz conservatories rather than smoky basements. He runs half-marathons and likes jogging around a new city before playing its nightclubs. Fans who braved a freezing Bank Holiday Monday to catch his opening night were rewarded with a well-paced set of flab-free contemporary jazz.
Though new to one another, Danish drummer Kristian Leth, Hungarian bassist Arnie Somogyi and British pianist James Pearson made an excellent rhythm section and tenorist Dave O’Higgins responded brilliantly to the challenge of playing alongside Alexander. At times their booting ensembles recalled the past glories of two-tenor groups such as Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons or Johnny Griffin and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis. When they resume rivalries again tonight, they will probably sound even better.
Until tomorrow (020 7439 0747)
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
